Friends of Winchester Cathedral Receive Royal Seal of Approval

The Friends of Winchester Cathedral have received the royal seal of approval from Her Majesty The Queen for a piece of music commissioned to honour the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016.

The Chairman of the Friends, Bruce Parker, received a letter from Buckingham Palace last month confirming that Her Majesty had given her approval for the piece of music to be named “Queen Elizabeth’s Winchester Carol”.

Bruce Parker said: ‘We are delighted to hear that Her Majesty has kindly given permission for the piece to be called “Queen Elizabeth’s Winchester Carol”. The Queen has also asked to hear a recording of the piece, which we hope will be performed at the Cathedral’s annual Carol Concert in December’.

“Queen Elizabeth’s Winchester Carol” has been commissioned for Winchester Cathedral Choir, internationally regarded as one of the great choirs in England, and the well-known baritone and composer Roderick Williams has been chosen to write the piece.

The Cathedral’s Director of Music, Andrew Lumsden, said: “A new commission is always an exciting time for performers and Roddy Williams, being a singer himself, knows how to write for voices in a most inspiring way. To have Her Majesty’s seal of approval will make the first performance in our concert an even more special occasion.”

The commission is being funded from proceeds of the Patrons’ Lunch held in London’s Mall in the summer of 2016 for charities such as the Friends of the Cathedral, of which the Queen is the Royal Patron.